Russian Fight Club (Luthien) [TW/CW]

[Deleted]

TW/CW: Violence, abuse

Growing us has never been easy for Dmitri. He was raised to con people out of their money, and has been taking physical hits since a young age. Because of this, he learned how to fight. As he grew older, he found an underground fighting scene that paid much better than walking the streets. It didn't take long for him to become a regular. He was young, 16 at the time, and seemed to heal faster than most of the other contestants. This meant that he could fight more, and, through trial and error, learning what he can, got his way to the top.

Dmitri stood inside a caged area, boxing shorts on, no shoes and his hands wrapped to make impact. He, a scrawny stick, going up against a behemoth. The crowd surrounded the ring as the match started. The boy was fast, and dodged the first few advances, not able to make any hits as he did. But finally, the man made his hit, hard on the side. He wasn't sure if he was broken or just bruised, but now wasn't the time to concern himself with trivial things like that. He was able to get a few hits in, but they weren't as effective. After taking a headbutt and an arm pull from the man, Dmitri scrambled to behind the man and jumped on his back. Holding his air way tight, all he had to do what not get thrown off. This became a bit harder, when the man started ramming his back into the fence that surrounded the fight area. Dmitri counted in his head, ten more seconds. All he had to do what hold on for eight more seconds. Five, four, three, two. Out like a light. The man fell forward, thanks to some weight angling on Dmitri's part. He had won. The crowd went wild.

He left the cage as people entered, checking on the unconscious competitor. He would get paid after all the fights were over. He had gone to the locker area, which was just a small room that was separate where they could keep their stuff. Changing into some jeans, boots and a tee-shirt, he left to join the half drunk audience. He had a bag over his shoulder, and a leather jacket hanging on it. He didn't trust these guys, but having just seen him take down his opponent, he was certain that no one would mess with him tonight. He walked up to the end of a bar and tapped the counter. The man behind the counter handed him a vodka shot and in Russian stated "I know you'll convince me to give you some, but I'm putting my foot down, this is the only one you are going to get out of me boy." Taking the shots in his hand, Dmitri smiled, also replying in Russian "The night is still young Egor" He said with a charming smile. Even though there was obvious bruising being started on his right cheek, he was sure he could convince him for another. He knew that the legal drinking age in Russia was 21, but who really was going to stop him? He couldn't get in any trouble, unless the entire place was taken over by the police.

@luthien
OOC: I did the math, and she should be about 22, but I could be wrong on that.

[Deleted]

Lúthien had heard rumours about a fight club in Russia. It sounded entertaining and like something that would set her blood on fire. It had been a while since that had been the case. Not to mention that rumour had it that a young man she'd met not too long ago frequented the place. After most parts of her life had fallen apart and her dalliences with the good side had come crashing down she was very certain that such a life was not for her. Everything she'd given up in the course of her life to make her former partner happy seemed so meaningless now. That didn't mean she'd stopped loving him, even if he caused her pain and heartache. It mostly meant she'd made a different choice and regret was still with her. She didn't quite live, she mostly sustained herself and her lifestyle. Escape, alcohol and fights. All of them in excesses. She took a deep breath as she entered the club, a smile on her face instantly. Life had gone through plenty of effort to end her moment of joy on the good side. Now that all had been destroyed, although that probably was for the best. She wasn't the kind of girl she had tried to be. Chaos, death and destruction made her blood sing in ways that no law could contain.

So it was no surprise that a smile crept on her face when she saw the youngling inside the cage, strangling the opponent until he blacked out. That was good. Lúthien felt the atmosphere around her and revelled in the violence that hung on the air, saturated with the scent of sweat mixed with blood. She allowed her eyes to roll over the bodies of the various men in states of undress. The more beat up they looked, the more she wanted to bring them down further. Confidence on a man was more than little amusing to destroy whenever possible. Not in all cases, as some were unlike her in most ways. They hadn't found themselves with a heart of darkness wrapped in a blanket of bitterness and hatred. They'd been unlucky and lived lives like these because it was what they knew, not what made them feel most alive and fullfilled. She sauntered over to the bar and took the seat next to the youth without bothering to ask if it was taken. She was here for more than just entertainment after all. She planned to invite him over to celebrate the holiday season, although not at all in the traditional sense. She had no love for that left.

She leaned over to the bartender and ordered a very large amount of vodka. It was very uncommon for the young woman to display her emotions and smiles were rare, even more so after the choice to part from her past life. She stared at Dmitri for a few moments before she turned to the bartender with an empty expression on her face. "Three more." She stated without any hint of emotion, something that most people seemed to find rather disconcerting. It wasn't her problem that they couldn't stomach the things in the world they failed to understand. As she got her three drinks she picked up one and slid one over to Dmitri, as if they'd had a silent agreement without even getting eye contact. "Not bad." She then said to Dmitri, although a bystander might not have clued in on that. "Next time try to push the lungs out of the air. It should speed up the process a little. While the desperate plea for air is amusing you don't want it to get old. Crowds like these are too easily bored." She said and then turned to him, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. He was interesting company.

She then held the second spare glass up close to him. "Name one of the more misogynist men in here. I think I feel like a fight." She said and then looked at him directly for the first time since starting her half of the conversation. "You've been fine, I trust?" She said, eyeing him up and down unimpressed for a moment. "Breathing, at least." She said with an undertone of boredom and disappointment. He was young and his skills were promising. Perhaps if she'd had any desire to shape true bonds and team up he would have been a proper partner in crime. Life hadn't been kind to him but unlike her, his father didn't pretend to be on the good side. Her birth mother did and the only passion that hadn't been snuffed out for her was the utter destruction of her birth mother in any way she could bring it about. That coming from a woman that had plenty of luck in where she grew up and how she got raised said a lot about her core as a person. Very much rotten. She simply wasn't a good person and enjoyed pain, misery and despair in others. It was a shame people rarely managed to surprise her enough to hold her interest for more than half a week. At least this boy had some potential to be entertaining, if nothing else.

@dmitri

[Deleted]

Dmitri was not in the mood for anyone to tell him how to fight better, or ask him to come home with them. So, when someone came and sat right next to him, he downed his shot and looked forward. He really didn't want to interact with anyone. But he couldn't just not look to see what he was dealing with. His brain wouldn't let him. It needed constant stimulation. He would look to see who dared to bother him, then he would figure out their angle before they even started to talk. He saw the movement and heard the order. It was a woman. So probably not an opponent. Dmitri didn't fight girls, they reminded him too much of his sisters. He glanced over finally through the corner of his eye, to see a woman that he had met recently. At least it wasn't some entitled rich woman wanting to take him home as a pet.

"Three more." she finally said. He waited, wanting to see what her next move was. She wasn't easy to read, like most idiots in this place. He waited for the bartender to bring the three shot glasses, and when one slid towards him, he gave a wicked grin to the bartender who seemed more annoyed just because of the taunting expression. He took the shot in his hand. He did make it a point not to drink anything that anyone gave him, but he saw it from poor to his hand, there was no chance she could have slipped something into it. He glanced over to the woman, Luthien, and the two made eye contact "I'll consider it. Though you haven't been around too much. That was the first time I tried that move. They thought they finally had me out with that one. I knew my punches wouldn't get pass the pure blubber on him, so a suffocation was the best bet." He looked down and swirled the drink around. "First time I tried it. It took me longer to find the right spot." He wouldn't waste time next time. Though her suggestion was nice. He always liked to keep the ideas fresh. That was one reason he was a favorite.

Dmitri did enjoy his time with Luthien, he didn't have to pretend, like with anyone else in his life. He was cold as ice, and didn't have to fake warmth and sunshine around her. She knew exactly what type of person he was, as did he with her. She raised her glass, and he did the same. He spun around to look at the crowd, methodically moving from face to face. He leaned back on the bar counter, lifting his elbows onto it. There was some pain, defiantly would need to check out his right rib cage for any breaks. "You've been fine, I trust?" "Much to the old man's chagrin" He spoke in a somber tone. He did what he wanted, when he wanted. Still monitoring and processing who was there tonight, he really wasn't in the mood to play nice. "What about you? Still breathing?" Dmitri learned at a very young age that if he wanted to survive, he had to be in control. He had to do what ever it took to survive. This woman was one that seemed to have taken an interest with him. She was interesting herself, but Dmitri was one who was not going to be used by anyone....anyone else.

"There" He had finally spotted who she had asked for. A man who seemed to be flaunting his wealth. He had brought in the fighter who just so happened to be Dmitri's last opponent. He played it dirty, trying to sabotage the fight before he had entered the building. "That's the one for you"

@luthien

[Deleted]

Lúthien was glad to hear that was his first time trying this particular tactic. The creative undertone that comment had just set the various shattered parts of her heart and soul on fire. Naturally it wasn't a matter of romance, merely a desire for the chaos and destruction things like that would bring. That was all she still cared about these days. For a moment she was almost tempted to smile, although the smile died long before it managed to reach her lips. She never gave anything away for free, least of all her emotions. There were the types of things people could use to get power over others. She knew all about that, as it was part of her own cons. While she didn't hunt for money or gratification that the other person could give up she did hunt to see and enjoy their loss of control over their emotions. Everything back to a more primal state of being in which barely anything mattered, just the power of the emotions. Hate, anger, resentment, they were all powerful in ways not enough people managed to appreciate.

"There was blubber indeed. Not exactly the type of figure to appeal to the eyes." She agreed, her voice flat and void of emotions as usual. The man clearly indulged in the good life but he had plenty of strength and fight in him not to be underestimated. Luckily Dmitri didn't seem to make those mistakes. He was more likely to be underestimated himself, which helped in realising unexpected outcomes could come out of any fight. Still, fights that were purely physical were not exactly up her alley. Without some shape or form of mental games there were rarely more than than the tides of two bodies mindlessly crashing in to one another. She glanced at the cage where two new heaps of flesh had just stepped. Repeating history over and over for the sake of money. While buying things as a criminal seemed to be rather boring plenty of these people seemed to wish for it nonetheless. Lúthien wasn't particularly tempted by the sway of power as she only desired complete freedom. It was impossible to have with a following. Still, money could buy many things, loyalty included. It was a good thing to remember in her more recent line of work.

She shrugged slightly. "Get in their head and they will relinquish control easily. You fight smart enough for it. If you combine your two skills you'd make quite the formidable opponent." She said. She was quite certain of it as it was a style of combat she most often used. Supposedly it wasn't honourable but it wasn't like the woman cared. She had no honour and no sense of shame. Breaking into her head was as difficult as breaking out of Azkaban was at that moment in time. She was closed off and guarded and while part of her wanted company it was more to not be alone consistently than for the sake of genuine human connection. She could see her half brother if she got desparate enough for affection but since the man was annoying, close friends with her ex and very keen on building a bond Lúthien wasn't likely to ever go down that path. Besides, since they were related through their mother Lúthien wasn't too keen on establishing any sort of connection.

It was easy to hear the tone of voice he used when speaking of his father. Loyalty to parents always should have limitations. She merely nodded, barely indicating she'd received his words. She wasn't the type to talk a lot, unless she wanted to cause damage. There had been a time when she'd been nearly mute due to a choice of speaking in such a limited way that only one person had managed to understand her communication. As she thought back on it her jaw clenched, although the change was only visible to those that knew her well enough to realise something was going on. She could feel the energy in her own body and the air around her change to create space for her anger. The world should not have sent him on her path. It had been folly. As he asked if she was still breathing she merely motioned towards herself as if it was obvious, slipping back into old habits where her voice was as alien to her as friendship, love and compassion had been. "Seeking company for Christmas. It's nearly my birthday as well so I want both over with." She glanced at him then, taking in the marks the fight had left on him. Death wasn't scary enough to deter her from her plans and he was probably too young to have killed. Besides, she'd given him no reason to make her his first mark. "Care to join? No cake, just booze and chaos."

To her, that was a perfect party. Not that many people would agree. She then locked her eyes on the target he had suggested. The smallest smile crept on her face as she took a small step forward. "No emotional talks either. It bores me." She said as she stalked off, though it was clear enough she would return as soon as her little fight was over. She walked up to the man and as she did, she fished a metal glove from her purse, which she unceremoniously dumped on the floor in front of the wealthy aristocratic man. One of her eyebrows shot up slightly to put meaning behind her rather oldfashioned challenge as she stood there, crossing her arms. She looked him dead in the eye as she felt the crowd around them buzz in anticipation. "Scared?" She merely asked him as she carelessly kicked the glove over to his perfectly expensive shoes. "Or just worried you'll bleed all over your fancy suit? I'm sure you can set it on one of your underpaid croonies after the fight, if you're not worried you might break a nail." She said the last sentence with utter mockery of him and his masculinity, all the while by some miracle managing to keep only a faint hint of a smile on her pokerface. As soon as she was done she'd head back over to Dmitri of course, buy him as many drinks as the price on this victory could afford.

((She'll come back! I'll do the fighty bit in the first bit of my next one xD Just lemme know any rules/restrictions the club would have? And if NPC has a specific style of fighting or interaction or anything I'll let you control him too xD <3))

[Deleted]

Dmitri had been using peoples sympathy and emotion for his own, or rather, his father's gain for years. Perhaps that was one reason why he enjoyed the time that he had spent with Luthien. She didn't show much emotions, so Dmitri didn't have to. He didn't have to fake something just to get a reaction. He could sit there with a stone face if he wanted to. Dmitri was young, and used that to his advantage.

As they started to talk, another pair entered the ring to fight. Dmitri watched for the first moment, ad the two began to size each other up. Before contact could be made, he had returned his search for what she had asked for. He knew the outcome of the fight, and could even predict a number of the moves each fighter would implement. He studied all fighters, so that he wasn't surprised when he was pinned against one of them. And watching the fights did nothing for him, he would much rather be in them. A chuckle escaped him "I'm already in their heads. Each and every one of them." He had spent time talking with most of them, and implanted what he wanted into the fighters heads. When he first started the fights, he would do it right before the match, but those who ran the fights got smart and separated them until after the fight. That didn't stop the silver tongue of the boy. He was already in, all it took was one whisper, or a look. The first problem arose when they brought in a new fighter, but everyone else did Dmitri's work for him, with talk of what he did with the others. How easily he made the fighter shake. He gave a small smile at the thought, as he searched the faces.

He glanced at her as she motioned to herself. He observed her for a heart beat, then looked back into the moving crowd. He stopped as she mentioned a holiday that was meant for togetherness, family, and giving. It wasn't something that Dmitri celebrated often...or at all. "I could do with booze" Here was the only place that Dmitri could fully get drinks. Something about being underage. She had also mentioned her birthday. Dmitri had his birthday sometime in this month right? Had it already passed? What it today? Or sometime soon? It wasn't something that he had ever celebrated before. He understood others did. Some even received gifts. He mentioned it one time to his father, and he had to pay the old man double, which he didn't have.

After giving the woman a target, Dmitri saw the slightest expression on her face. That was something. He wasn't seeking praise, but in a way, he felt as if he had gotten it. "No emotional talks either. It bores me." was her final statement. He was in a sour mood anyway. And when did he ever talk about what he was really feeling. Never, not even with the girl that he had just started to...lets just say that they were enjoying each others company. He watched her walk away. He thought about turning around to convince the bartender to give him more, but this was his revenge. That man deserved this, and Dmitri was going to enjoy watching him go down. Luthien would reward him for his efforts. It was he who gave her her fun on a silver platter.

@luthien
OOC: I think the club would frown on any major fighting, but would tolerate bar brawls, they would also try to limit fighting because they want ot keep the bets on the fights that they are controlling. And I don't image the NPC as a particularly skilled fighter, but perhaps a hot head

[Deleted]

There was a seduction about the game she played. A casual but very serious flirtation with the dark side of life, with evil. Every step she took was filled with purpose and she had no issues using her body to draw attention if she so desired. She had power and she was power. It was toxic but ever so sweet to others to see a woman so fully centered and aware of herself that her spirit could truly be seen as unbroken. To some it was frightning, to others a challenge. Most were smart enough not to engage to fully or deeply. Lúthien had a reputation and she kept it alive with ease. She was free from the bounds that others tempted to place upon her and would not accept any restrictions from others. Nothing would tie her down.

Somewhere between her walk and the actual fight the buzz of the crowd intensified as the woman herself had planned. She knew places like this and had ensured to start the fires of the game of chance. Any time a fight broke out and profits could be made people flocked and the owners were not too fond of fights when they had no profit. Lúthien had no problem entertaining their pockets if it meant she could visit more frequently. She understood people well enough, especially criminals. They always had simple motivations such as greed or lust or a hunger for power. If she didn't counter those but enhanced their options she hardly ever found herself in trouble that was difficult to manage. The emotions to do with acts of kindless were far more alien to her and she didn't seek to further her knowledge too much more. She'd known those in the past, before she'd fallen. Now she was living like a devil, just the way she felt she was supposed to be.

The man didn't have much more than a peanut for a brain, that much was clear. Anybody accepting a challenge from her either had no people kills or was far overconfident. Except for the few that were smart about it, which this guy clearly didn't plan on being. He accepted the challenge and took of his suit jacket. Poor guy wouldn't know what hit him in a couple of days. Lúthien wasn't here strictly for pleasure of course but well, it was always good to mix pleasure with business. She'd gotten an assignment to kill some guy that was known to both frequent this place and be rather ill in communicating with woman. She'd produced a fine plan in combining science of muggles with magic. She'd ordered a bacterial strain from the dark web that was commonly found in soil and used magic to remove the genetic marker that could trace it back to it's origins, making it appear to be a wild strain. She'd ensured to put the stuff on her shoes. One or two good kicks through the surface of the skin and the guy was going to be in for a rough period.

At some point she received the confirmation from the crowd that she'd been looking for, her impromptu fight had been accepted and bets had been placed. Since she was not well known there wasn't overly much people were willing to bet but plenty of gambling addicts ensured the fight would at least be enough to hit the books to begin with. Not to mention the crowd loved violence and she herself loved that air of anticipation and violence thirst these people seemed to share. It made life interesting. She smiled slightly as she motioned towards her opponent, the crowd now having created their own cage to encircle them in. "Ladies first." She said, motioning to the other man that instantly flared and attacked in the most obvious way possible. She blocked him without too much effort, years of training with weapons at summer camp had prepared her well. She hit him full against the chest, leaving him short for breath. He stumbled back for a moment, the intense hatred in his eyes flaring up. Lúthien showed no sign of emotion even in this. No matter how much fun business was, she wasn't one to emote. It was part of why she tended to enjoy Russia so much. People here didn't smile that much, one person even telling her that smiling without reason only made people look dumb to him.

One well aimed kick broke through both his skin and trousers in his leg, which ultimately settled his fate. Not that such a thing was enough to her. It only hurt him a little and she wanted more pain and suffering from him. She moved in and gave him a punch, feeling that satisfying crack beneath her fist. That was the point she realised somebody wasn't too happy with her humiliating and hurting his boss. She felt the all too familiar sting of something sharp breaking her skin. She kicked backwards, aiming for the source of the pain. She felt impact as well as something slightly wet spreading from the source of the pain on her body. She was either going to need stiches or to find herself a more quiet spot to heal herself. Stupid idiot brainless brutes. This was part of the reason that completing a job on one of the Oligarch types was so darn impossible. Not that this guy was one. Just related to one from what she understood.

In just a few moments the entire affair was over. The knife puller had disappeared back into the crowd and despite bleeding, Lúthien was an easy victor and since the pathethic little man was still alive (for now) nobody seemed keen on coming after her. She made her way back towards Dmitri with the small amount of prize money they'd seen fit to bestow upon her and she unceremoniously dumped it on the counter. "Whatever my friend wants and a piece of cloth with the strongest vodka you have." She said. Best to treat muggle wounds in muggle places in muggle ways. Muggle money was useless and disposable to her either way. She'd get paid a fair sum for her own entertainment later and that was going into her sports car fund. If she was going to get rich via illegal means, she wanted to show it off the more fabulous way. She sat down beside Dmitri and looked him straight in the eye. "So you on for Christmas? Also, are you any good at tending to injuries? Somebody didn't appreciate the number I pulled on your target." It wasn't exactly his target but he had selected him for her. It seemed as good as the same to her. The wound wasn't too bad but she didn't really want it to get infected. It made the healing process a lot harder.

@dmitri

[Deleted]

Dmtiri leaned back against the bar counter, propping his arms on the edge in a relaxed manner. He watched with a devilish smirk as the woman walked towards her target. The crowd seemed to intensify with the atmosphere of an unscheduled fight. A man stepped closer, and landed right near Dmitri. The boy pulled out two orange in color pieces of paper and waved them at the man "Care for a little wager. Two 5000 Rubles on the lady." He manipulated his face to seem quite unsure, but eager to try gambling, probably for the first time. The poor sap had no idea what he was dealing with. The man nodded, but would only take the bet, if he doubled it. Appearing unsure, Dmitri looked at the bills, but then nodded and smiled at the man. Pulling attention away form the kid, the man went back to watch. Dmitri glared at the man, what an easy mark.

With that, the fight was on, the crowd that had encircled them did make it hard for Dmitri to watch. But he simply focused his hearing and listened for the ques that he knew would come. Her voice, his anger, an impact. Dmitri's Revenge. The fight continued, and the crowd seemed to react well to it. Dmitri moved from his spot to get a closer look, lifting a few items that would remain unnoticed if they went missing, then returned to his seat in time for the fight to be over. He pocketed his findings, mostly small bills and change, and thanked the man who he had placed the bet with. Any extra profit would help in keeping his sisters safe tonight. As the crowd parted and Luthien returned to Dmitri's side, he could see her bleeding, though, he figured she would be fine. He ordered a bottle of Vodka, with two shot glasses, placing them in the middle, so that the woman could take some too, if she wanted. Dmitri did have to be careful not to get drunk. He refused to let his sisters see him in that state, and he had to return home tonight, he was sure that their father would not be in a friendly mood.

As the two sat, a man came and handed Dmitri his takings for his efforts for tonight. He thanked the giver and pocketed the money, he had a tally in his head, that should be enough, though Mikhail never really told the children how much he wanted them to bring in. The amount changed depending on how his day went, and often times, how much money the kids actually brought home. If he was in a bad mood, no amount would ever be enough.

Taking the money, he spun back to Luthien. "I have nothing better to do" He noted as she asked about Christmas. Looking at her wound he nodded. He opened the side back he had with him and pulled out a makeshift first aid kit. He put it on the counter. "You want it done here, or else where. And, it'll leave a scar" He had been researching healing charms, but it wasn't something that he was good at. But he still wanted to help her, she did buy him drinks.

@luthien